Genesis 6:4

Genesis 6:4, in plain English

The Nephilim—these hybrid offspring of supernatural beings and human women—inhabited the earth, becoming powerful and famous men throughout history.

Why it's here

The Nephilim are presented as the actual results of these unions. They were known as 'mighty men' and 'men of renown,' suggesting they held power and influence in their societies. The fact that they existed 'in those days and afterward' indicates this wasn't just a one-time event. These beings embodied the corruption and violence that was spreading through humanity.

Who's speaking

The narrator, documenting what actually existed in that era

Where it sits in the story

The Nephilim represent the physical evidence of humanity's corruption—a visible sign of how far things have deteriorated. They serve as a reminder that rebellion against God's design has real, tangible consequences that ripple through society.

The scholarly reading

The Nephilim—mighty, renowned warriors—existed before the divine-human unions and continued afterward, born from these transgressive relationships and becoming legendary figures.

Language and setting

The Nephilim (נְפִילִים, from נפל, naphal, 'to fall') appear both before and after the angelic-human unions, suggesting either that they antedated these relationships or that the narrator emphasizes their pervasive presence. The phrase 'mighty men of old' (גִּבּוֹרִים, gibborim) connects them to heroic tradition—Goliath later carries this genealogical claim (1 Samuel). The rabbinical and patristic traditions debated whether these were hybrid offspring or simply human giants corrupted by angelic influence. Their 'renown' (שׁם, shem—literally 'name') invokes the tower-building aspiration of 11:4, suggesting prideful self-glorification.

Voice

The narrative voice, providing historical-anthropological commentary

Significance

The Nephilim represent the tangible, legendary evidence of cosmic transgression—creatures of mixed origin whose very existence embodied the violation of proper boundaries. Their post-Flood persistence (Numbers 13:33) indicates that judgment was partial, not absolute, leaving remnants as reminders of this ancient corruption.

2the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they took as wives whomever they chose.

3So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”

4The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and afterward as well—when the sons of God had relations with the daughters of men. And they bore them children who became the mighty men of old, men of renown.

5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

6And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Read all of Genesis 6 — Violence fills the earth. God grieves over what humanity has become — and one man finds grace.